The unveiling ceremony – the first official milestone on the road to the final – was held in the VIP Hospitality Lounge of the National Arena Bucharest, which will stage the showpiece match on 9 May next year. More than 150 guests and 80 media representatives attended the launch, which took place in the presence of the 2012 UEFA Europa League final ambassador Miodrag Belodedici.

Continuing a tradition dating back to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, the 2012 UEFA Europa League final has been given a complete design concept, developed specifically for this high-profile occasion. As such, the new identity carries a distinctive flavour of the host city – the design shows a solitary beam of light flowing through the Bucharest cityscape on the way to its ultimate destination, the stadium. The visuals also contain the intricate structure and detailing of Romanian arts and crafts, which are integrated within the swoosh of light.

As ambassador, Belodedici helped to welcome the UEFA Europa League final to the Romanian capital in the company of the mayor of Bucharest, Sorin Oprescu, the president of the National Sports and Youth Authority, Doina Melinte, the president of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), Mircea Sandu, and representatives from UEFA. Former Romania defender and two-time European Champion Clubs' Cup winner Belodedici was joined by local sporting personalities, including ex-Romanian internationals, the current technical staff of the national team, and officials past and present from the Romanian football family and other sports.

The design and logo provide the 2012 final with a unique identity which will be applied across a range of applications, with the aim of promoting the final and enhancing the prestige of one of the world's biggest sporting events.

Speaking to the assembled dignitaries, Mircea Sandu and Sorin Oprescu emphasised the prevailing feeling of pride at having this opportunity to host the final and assured those present that every possible effort was being made to ensure that Bucharest would be staging the best possible final in six months' time. Belodedici added that the final would represent a major boost to Romanian children and young players, given such an important occasion could only increase their interest in both the grassroots and the professional game.

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